Mumbai and surrounding districts are set to experience another stretch of sweltering weather, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert beginning May 6. The department has warned
of persistently hot and humid conditions across the region.
Temperatures in Mumbai are expected to exceed 36°C, while neighbouring Thane district could see the mercury climb beyond 39°C in the coming days.
According to a report in The Indian Express, recent observations indicate that daytime temperatures had already surged past 34°C in both the suburban belt and the Colaba coastal observatory on May 4. The discomfort extended into the night, with minimum temperatures in Santacruz and Colaba hovering between 28°C and 29°C.
Heat To Escalate Across Konkan Belt Till May 8
The IMD has forecast a further rise in temperatures across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri between May 6 and May 8. Suburban Mumbai is likely to record highs above 36°C, while Thane may experience temperatures ranging between 38°C and 39°C.
Meteorologists attribute this spike to the inflow of dry easterly winds affecting the region.
Health Advisory Issued Amid Rising Heat Stress
With temperatures across North Konkan expected to remain above normal, the IMD has released a special advisory urging residents, particularly vulnerable groups, to take precautions against heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps and heat rash.
Citizens have been advised to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Outdoor workers, in particular, are encouraged to reschedule physically demanding tasks to cooler parts of the day.
Despite the rising temperatures, the IMD clarified that no official heatwave or warm night warning has been issued so far. In coastal regions like Konkan, a heatwave is typically announced when temperatures exceed 37°C or remain at least 4.5°C above normal for consecutive days. A severe heatwave is declared when the deviation crosses 6.5°C.
Broader Weather Patterns: Heat In Konkan, Storms Elsewhere
Earlier this month, the IMD indicated that above-normal temperatures are likely to persist across India not only during summer but also into the monsoon and post-monsoon periods.
While Mumbai and the Konkan belt brace for intense heat, other parts of Maharashtra, including Vidarbha and Marathawada, are expected to witness thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in the coming days.
These pre-monsoon conditions are linked to an active trough system. One trough currently extends from an upper air cyclonic circulation over Haryana towards the northeast Arabian Sea via Rajasthan. Another north-south trough stretches from Vidarbha to the Comorin area, passing through Telangana, Rayalaseema, and interior Tamil Nadu.
